Two more 1903's that I photographed...

[Fred]

The overcast sky today gave me a chance to take some photo's of two 1903's. One of these is a Very little used if any 1920 National Match 03 that was made for competition at Camp Perry in 1920. These rifles were available only to Military personnel. Civilians weren't allowed to buy any new National Match rifles until 1921. This rifle spent its life tucked away somewhere safe and avoided wear and tear for 95 years. It has a barrel date of 11-19. Fiscal Year of 1920 ran from July 1st 1919 to June 29th 1920, so Springfield Armory rifle 1181006 was made as a 1920 National Match rifle to be used in the 1920 Camp Perry Matches.
The other rifle has a barrel date of 11-17. It's in pretty nice condition for a rifle made that early in the war. I'm confident that all parts on it are original as assembled. Somehow, it has avoided any updates and hard use for 98 years

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Major Tom]

Good looking dog in one photo. Nice rifles too.

[Fred]

That's one of our Rough Collie's named Tucker! I'll put some photo's up tomorrow of him and his sister and the other two tomorrow.

[Fred]

Here are some photo's of the right side of the 1917 rifle that I neglected to take yesterday. Sunlight brings out the color in the stock in the photo's.
It appears to me that although the rifle has been bumped and dinged a little, the stock has never been sanded or cleaned. All of its edges are sharp and all markings are present. I can't remember what in the world is on the left side of the wrist for a cartouche... I know that it's a sharply stamped single letter. I'll take a photo and post it...

[Fred]

[tinydata]

Its hard to imagine that quality like that was once standard-issue for infantry. These pictures are much appreciated as a reference (and eye candy to drool over!)

[Fred]